RIVERSIDE shopping centre plans need to be looked at again in the interests of safety, according to concerned councillors.

Members of Northwich Town Council fear that current proposals for Weaver Way as part of both the Barons Quay plans and town centre flood defence work could lead to an accident.

Clr Derek Bowden said: "The planning permission granted is for the flood defences and what we need to look at is the way Weaver Way is constructed around the flood defences.

"The current proposal is for an 18in kerb to protect the flood defences from the traffic flowing through but an 18in kerb is no use at all for pedestrians.

"We would argue that there's room there for a 3ft or 4ft pavement and Weaver Way would still have enough road space for the commercial vehicles to use it.

"The current intention is that it will be mixed use so you walk along the road.

"I'm not happy with that at all.

"A possible way of dealing with that is to restrict the times traffic can use it for loading and unloading.

"But you don't need six lorries to have an accident, you only need one."

He added: "I feel a slight reduction in the width of Weaver Way is a fair deal for the safety of pedestrians and families and for the ease of access.

"We want people to be drawn to Barons Quay so they can promenade along Weaver Way."

Members of Northwich Town Council have met with representatives of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) , which is behind plans for Barons Quay, and council leader Mike Jones to express their concerns.

Cllr Bowden said: "Clr Jones accepted our concerns and I think shared our concerns."

At its January meeting Northwich Town Council agreed it would continue to push for the alterations to the plans.

Cllr Bowden said: "If we don't get it right now then it won't be right for the next 30 years."